Dampf’s Modelling Page has a short description of how he created an objective marker. I really like markers like these that look like part of the landscape, as opposed to little cardboard counters or somesuch.
modeling
How To Make High Quality Circular Counters
On Board Game Geek, there’s a nice set of instructions on making high quality circular counters.
Modeling Flames
Here’s a nice video on modeling and painting flames. It’s basically a matter of gluing flock to a wire and then painting.